Chapter 3:
On the planet below the large form of Devastator slams down on the surface of Cybertron creating a wide crater as he looks around, setting Astrotrain down before he divides back into his separate components, while Astrotrain transforms to Robot mode. "We don't have long before the calvary is on our tails. We'll have to stick together no matter what happens. I heard the cocky jet mention Computron... Then there is the possibility that that jerk Omega Supreme is in the vicinity of Crystal City, so we will probably need Devastator again to fight our way through their ranks." Scrapper says as he looks to the group, Astrotrain looking more then a little banged up.
"Its best if we try to get there as fast as we can, we really don't have the energy to fight off every Autobot we come across." Hook says and Scrapper nods in agreement. "Right, so lets top wasting time here talking." Scrapper replies and Transforms to his vehicle and starts off toward Crystal City. The others follow suit with Astrotrain taking his shuttle form again and takes to the skies knowing he'll be more use in the air so he can keep an eye and alert the others to Autobots in the area.
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Meanwhile, In a large building, UDC Central Command for Cybertron, A beam of light hits what looks like a satellite dish. Inside, Ultra Magnus appears inside a similar cylindrical tube that he left in. The tube opens and the large Autobot walks out into a mostly deserted room used for Teleportation. The only other occupant in the room is a young boy, about 14 or 15 that runs up to excitedly greet the Autobot Commander. He appears to be human for the most part, but has a pale green tint to his skin, and vibrant green hair, suggesting he may be part Nebulan. He wears a black and red jumpsuit with gear-like designs on it, defiantly not standard fair for a UDC officer. Just barely seeming to hang on to his face is a pair wire frame round glasses. "Magnus! Your back!" he exclaims jubilantly.
Ultra Magnus smiles looking down to the boy, and gently pats his head as he kneels before him so the boy doesn't have to stain his neck to look him in the face. "Greetings, Gizmo. I haven't been away that long have I?" He says with a soft chuckle, sometimes losing track of time while up in the orbital command center.
Gizmo shakes his head a bit and runs a hand through the emerald locks. "Not really, it just gets so dull planet side now a days. But If your here again so soon, that must mean some thing's up!" He say trying to sound to excited.
Ultra Magnus shaking his head with a soft smile, the boy's youthful exuberance and positivity always helps to lighten the mood a bit He can't help but chuckle softly "There are days you really remind me of your Grandfather, Daniel..." His optics flash for a moment and grows stern again. "Anyways, we got a real problem. the Constructicons and Astrotrain have broken through our orbital defenses. They are heading towards Crystal City."
Gizmo smiles brightly and can't help but jump for joy as he exclaims "COOL!" before he blinks and tones it down trying to be as serious as he can, while his thoughts fill of using his Gadgets to show the Decepticons what for. "I mean... this is serious... we need to gather our forces and stop them..." He says trying to contain is excitement at the idea of seeing some action.
Ultra Magnus chuckles, watching the boy trying to remain professional. "Seeing as I doubt I can stop you... because I know you'd just go behind my back and do it anyway, go suit up." He says, at least this way he feels can keep an eye on him. "I know you've been working on your own Transtector. Though if it looks to be getting too dangerous your going to have to pull out, do you understand me? Last thing I need is your mom getting on to me for letting you get hurt... again..." He ways his optics dim a bit as he winces at the last time Gizmo snuck off and got hurt while he was supposed to be under his supervision. Terran females always made his audio receptor hurt when they get pissy.
"Yes Sir! I won't let you down.. this time..." He says happily as he rushes out of the room towards his lab.
"I just hope you don't end up like your dad..." Magnus says regretfully as he shakes his head. He flips up a panel on his arm to reveal a screen. "Now lets see who is closest to here..."
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Outside of Central Command, Ultra Magnus stands before a small group of Autobots: Goldbug, Rodimus Major, Warpath, The Technobots, and Gizmo Standing on the roof of an small old style Semi truck colored in Red, Black, and Gold. "You've all been briefed on the situation. The Constructicons and Astrotrain are heading toward Crystal City. They've neutralized the Aerialbots and Sky Lynx already. We're lucky were closer to Crystal city then they are so it won't take us long to get there, Omega Supreme is already in place around the City, so even if they do get there before us or get through us, They've got a nice welcoming party to slow them down."
In the shadows a figure goes unnoticed as he listens in on Ultra Magnus' briefing "The Constructicons? Returning to Crystal city? This is my chance at last!" He says with a gleeful laugh and transforms into crane-like vehicle and drives on in a hurry toward Crystal City.
"So why is the kid coming along?" Rodimus asks as he looks over to Gizmo.
"You should know better then anyone Hot Rod, that youths will end up doing what they want regardless what they're elders tell them. If I had restricted him he would have snuck out anyway to try and prove himself a hero like his father. This way, He comes with us, we can look out for him, and he doesn't get his aft handed to him by confronting Devastator alone..." Ultra Magnus replies.
Rodimus shudders a bit at being called Hot Rod, reminding him of his days when he was young and stupid. "I wish people would stop calling me that. I haven't used that name in decades now. Its Rodimus, Rodimus Major if you want to be formal." He says.
Goldbug grins behind his faceplate. "Whatever you say, Hot Rod." He teases before ducking a weak punch from the maroon Autobot. "Your not one to talk, Bumbles, seeing as You've also changed your name in recent years." Rodimus retorts.
"Would you BAM knock it off KAPOW we need to focus on the BLAMMO task at hand!" Warpath interjects.
"Warpath is right, both of you knock it off. Lets get rolling if were going to stop them, and before anyone else starts arguing" Ultra Magnus says and transforms, the others following his lead, while Gizmo slides through an open window in his transtector and drives behind them.
----
Crystal City, one of the most stunning and advanced cities on all of Cybertron. The domed city home to many of Cybertron's greatest minds both past and present. Currently it looks like is is surrounded by a military outpost, a large track surround the city in which a train-like tank constantly patrols on, keep an eye out and making sure the city remains safe, even in this time of peace.
This tank contain the consciousness of Omega Supreme one of the last remaining Sentential robots that were constructed by the Quintisons to help quell rebellions for their slaves. Omega Supreme was one of the few that survived the uprising as was rebuilt and reprogrammed into an Autobot, complete with free will. Crystal City has always been a special place for him, a place he would die for and nearly has when the majority of the Constructicons went rogue, leaving him emotionally crippled due to the damage he suffered fighting his former friends.
His hatred of the Constructicon's betrayal has lead him to chase them all over the universe, and now it has lead him back to here. Having heard that the Constructicons are heading towards here, he has set himself up as the last line of defense. Hearing the sound of an engine approach, he quickly made his way over to it, seeing the form of a crane truck drive at full speed towards the city, he powers up his turret ready to fire on the form he believes is Hook... until a light shines on him. This crane truck is larger and bulkier, mostly purple with lime green highlights. Omega Supreme quickly powers down.
"I know your eager, but you should be more cautious old friend." The crane truck says with a slight laugh as he drives over the tracks. "I'd like to remain in once piece" he jokes.
"Statement: I am sorry Hightower. Tensions are just high right now." Omega Supreme's voice booms. As he looks to one of the last remaining Constructicons that haven't defected to the Decepticons, along with his brother Hauler. Since the Robo-Smasher incident, he and the last two Constructicons have had a strained relationship, Omega believing that its only a matter of time before they join the rest, but has tried to remain on good terms with the brothers.
Unfortunately for Omega Supreme, he was right when it comes to Hightower. He always envied the power that his comrades had gained thanks to Megatron. He should have had the power of Devastator as well, He helped build Megatron just like the others did. His brother Hauler didn't seem to care, even changing his colors not long after the incident seeing that those colors were more associated with the Decepticons. Hauler was a traitor in his eyes, and for million of years is hatred of his brother and his comrades slowly consumed him. Now, now he would have his chance to prove himself. He would show his comrades that he should have been part of their team. He would help them complete their mission regardless what it was, and they would be indebted to him. But first, there was a relic standing in their way that had to be taken care of...
Hightower drove over to the main structure of Omega Supreme, the part that former a miniature launchpad for his rocket half. He transformed into his robot mode and walked closer. Like several other Autobots he wore a UDC logo. "HQ sent me to do a quick checkup. Rumor is that Devastator is very focused on his goals. Your going to have to be in top condition if your to stand a chance against our former friends..." He says with a false smile, making hi way to a command console inside the structure and begin his work, carefully sabotaging the massive robot. He couldn't let him know he was disabling him. He places a small box inside Omega Supreme. "This is a special device I've been working on. I call it the Overdriver. This is still an early model so it has to be manually activated, but when it is it will triple your abilities for a short time." He says, not explaining that it will also overload and fry most the circuits in his body as an unfortunate side effect, but that was just something the big lug would have to discover on his own...
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"I don't like this... its too quite, too easy... we should have at least came across a few groups of Autobots..." Bonecrusher says
"Maybe we got lucky..." Long Haul replies.
"No, there planning something. Astrotrain, do you see anything on the horizon?" Scrapper asks
"Not yet, its eerily clear... no wait... I see something. A barricade just starting to show on the horizon..." Astrotrain reports "There only seems to be ten of them..."
"Only ten? Bring them on!" Log haul says and revs his engine and plows towards the barricade at top speed..
"No! You idiot! Its a trap!" Scrappers yells over this linked speakers, but before Long Haul can stop a powerful blast is heard, followed by an explosion that launches Long Hal into the air.
Warpath laughs as he sees the Decepticon's unintentional flight. "Looks like I Kapow still have it!" he proclaims loudly and gives a thumbs up to this teammates.
Long Haul transforms in midair and pulls out his blaster firing several shots down at the maroon tank as he lands "I won't be beaten so easily!"
"So much for a united front..." Scrapper sighs. "Decepticons, transform and conquer!" He commands as he transforms and opens fire on the blockade, the others quickly following suit.
The dark skies of Cybertron are lit up with the crimson and violet laser fire that is traded between the two factions. "Oh yes, this so much fun, just like old times!" Bonecrusher says.
"This is no time for nostalgia, Bonecrusher. We need to get past that barricade!" Scrapper replies.
Bonecrusher laughs "Leave that to me, Boss bot, remember Demolition is my specialty!" He laughs evilly and transforms into his bulldozer mode and rams full speed at the barrier blocking the way.
"No way am Zing! I gonna let you past this Blammo!barricade!" Warpath yells and fires another shot from his trusty chest cannon, which hits Bonecrusher dead on.
"Keep up the good work, Warpath, with your artillery they won't be getting past this barricade!" Ultra Magnus commands
Scrapper turn and looks to Mixmaster. "We need something powerfully curosive to melt that barrier." He then turns and looks to Long Haul and Astrotrain. "Long Haul, your probably the quickest of us on the ground, I want to to distract the loud mouth. Scavenger, so with him and provide support. Astrotrain, Your train mode would be the best to use to ram through that barricade once its weakened. Hook, you retrieve Bonecrusher, make sure he's still in fighting condition. Were in place to have causalities or gimped warriors. I'll provide back up fire for you." He says quickly issuing out orders.
The group all agree to the orders; Mixmaster, Hook, and Long Haul all transform into their vehicle, Scavenger climbs into Long Haul's dump bed and crouches down. The pair of them drive straight towards Warpath. "Better hold on tight, those rounds of his hurt!" Long Haul grumbles as he begins to zig and zag each time he sees Warpath's chest recoil, hoping to dodge each blast, the battlefield being lit up by the multiple explosions.
In the chaos, Hook drives towards Bonecrusher and wraps his cable around the warrior and begins dragging him back to a safer point, transforming to his robot mode and begins to look over his comrade. "Your a lucky one, Bonecrusher...our shovel took the brunt of the blast. You'll be fine for the moment. Once we reach Crystal City and can can do repairs on you. If they were more serious, Astrotrain would have to act as an ambulance."
On the other side of the Barrier Ultra Magnus watches. "I don't like this... They're up to something... Using the expulsions of Warpath's rounds to cloud our sight. They are probably preparing an attack on the barricade... Technobots, link up into Computron, his size might give us a good view of what they are trying, and he's intelligence might find away to counter it."
"I'd rather just go in with guns blazing and reduce them to molten slag." Scattershot says.
Ultra Magnus shakes his head softly "You are every bit, your Father's son..." He mumbles softly wishing the group of brothers that Grimlock built had inherited more of his temporary intelligence rather then it just being available to the combined form.
"Grimlock has the right idea when it comes to Decepticons, smash them all and let our creators sort them out. The rest of you tin-plated bucket heads waste too much time on thinking, If it weren't for Unicron and Galvatron's, I don't see how you guys would have won. But your the one in charge of this mission. Technobots, link up!" Scattershot calls out and the band of bother transform and merge into behemoth of intellect, Computron.
"Computron, online." The gestalt says as his eyes flash blue. "Surveying area, targets located, Analyzing..." He says, as his vision zooms in on the Decepticons, watching them for several seconds. "Decepticons planning to weaken barrier with Acid, and then have Astrotrain ram into it, while Warpath is distracted. Computing solution.
"Its that nerd of there, Computron!" Bonecrusher points out.
Scrapper's optics dim as he sees this. "I'm starting to get annoyed here...Given enough time he'll counter any plan I come up with."
"Then lets not give him the time!" Bonecrusher says, as he gets to his feet.
"Exactly, Enough with these minimalistic tactics. Were just going to form Devastator and smash everything that get in our way until we get to crystal city." Scrapper replies "Constructicons unite!" calling the group together and one again form into the hulking Devastator, his eyes glowing furiously. "Its time to smash the large nerd!" He yells and tackles Computron.
The towering super robots both fall back as Devastator tackles Computron, who is slow to react to the sudden action of the rampaging brute. On the ground below the handful of Autobots watch in shock as Devastator begins to pumble there smartest warrior.
Gizmo grins softly "I think ts time to show them what Armorhide can do!" He thinks to himself. The squat semi truck transformer rushes closer and tosses down his rife. "Hey! Big, green, and Ugly! I got something for you, special delivery!" he yells out, as the grill on hi chest flips up revealing a rack of eight missiles which launch all at once, there combined force is enough to knock Devastator off of Computron. "Come on, get up! Show him what your really capable of Computron!" He calls out cheering on his large ally.
Computron groans softly as he slowly tries getting to his feet, though Devastator is quicker to recover, the green monster roaring out and slams his fist down at the smaller Armorhide. "GIZMO!" Ultra Magnus calls out and rushes toward the smaller mech and tackles him out of the way, only just avoiding Devastator's fist himself. Computron grabs Devastator's arm. "I will not allow harm to come to my fellow Autobots." He states and lifts Devastator up and slams him to the ground, making it feel as the whole planet is shaking.
"Nerd should just shut up and let me smash him!" Devastator growls, as his right hand with tracts inside of his for arm, a drill emerging to replace it, it starts up with a sinister whirl as Devastator punches him with his new weapon, Computron yelling out in pain as the drill rips through his torso, and emerges from the other side before stopping and switching back with his hand. Devastator slams his left forearm against Computron forcing him off his arm. "That shut nerd up." Devastator laughs. He scans the other Autobots before shaking his head. "Will let others live, for now." He says and turns away from them and takes off towards Crystal city.
"Man, I'm glad I'm not an Autobot right now..." Astrotrain says in awe as he switches to his shuttle mode once more "Hey! Wait for me!" He says and blasts off as he sees Devastator leaving him behind.
Ultra Magnus is at a loss for words as the assault seems over before he can even get up, seeing the sparks fly up from Computron's gaping wound... Taking several moments before he can even give any orders. Armorhide's three finger hand gently reaches out to Ultra Magnus' shoulder is what snaps him out of his silence. He slowly shakes his head, with a slight gulp of fluids. "Goldbug..." He says softly still trying to compose himself. "I need you to follow Them as stealthily as possible, Rodimus back him up... Gizmo, I'm gonna need your help getting Computron to medical facilities. Warpath, you radio a head and have them prepare for us and warn Omega Supreme that Devastator isn't playing around."
"You have to be kidding!" Goldbug states. "There is no way I could handle myself if Devastator noticed me he'd... he'd..."
"Squash you like a Bug?" Rodimus asks, for some reason not being able to help the slight joke.
"Yeah... hey! This is no times for jokes Rodimus!" Goldbug objects.
"I know what he'd do, But your both quick and resourceful. We need to keep an eye on them. Once Computron is taken care of, I will meet up with you guys and we can plan our next move from there." Ultra Magnus states.
"What about me, I still want to help!" Armorhide says.
"You are, your helping me try to save Computron life. After that I want you to stray back at base. This is too dangerous for you, I really don't want to send Goldbug or Rodimus after him either. But we don't got much choice. Now its time to quick blabbing and get on with our tasks. Time is of the essence!" Ultra Magnus commands.
"Yes Sir!" The other reply in unison. Gold Bug and Rodimus transform to their car modes and take off after Devastator, while Ultra Magnus and Armorhide transform and hook cables up to Computron with Warpath's help before he radios base.
"I can't imagine things getting any worse..."Ultra Magnus says to himself as he begins towing Computron back to UDC Central Command.